Lina has been living for 10 years with Elsa and her group. Meanwhile, she was still working with Robert and made some money that she gladly shared with the rest of her new group. They became like her new family, and she was their main provider.
Elsa was like a mother to her. She has been on the streets for way too long. It was after her husband died from an incurable disease. They spent all of their money on hospital care and didn't have insurance to cover everything. At some point, Elsa had to sell her home to pay off her debts... She never had kids but gladly took Lina in and treated her like her own daughter. Elsa's love was one of the reason why Lina kept going on and fighting. But Lina also had to fight for Marco.
It's morning, and Lina is getting ready for a delivery. She exits the place and runs into Elsa.
Elsa: Be careful, sweetie!
Lina: (smiling at her) As usual, Elsa! Don't worry! I've been doing this shit for 12 years now! (winking at her) Oh, and by the way, I left a little something at your place.
Elsa: Lina darling, you didn't have to... (she says smiling and touched)
Lina: Shhh... No discussions here! With everything you do for me... It's nothing!
Elsa: You're a good person, darling!
Lina: (checking her watch) Ok, I gotta head out now! And-
Elsa: Keep an eye on Peanut! Well...lately, it's rather Peanut who's been keeping an eye on me(she says, laughing)
Lina: (laughing) DAMN sure he is! See you, Elsa!
She goes to Robert's, takes the merchandise, and heads to meet with the buyer: Curtis
Lina: Hey, Curtis!
Curtis: Hey! What's up?
Lina met regularly with Curtis. They even started to become some sort of friends.
Lina: (she sighs) It's not that I'm tired of seeing your face but...
Curtis: Yeah, I know... We're stuck, man! It ain't easy, but that's the shit we gotta do!
Lina: Anyway... (she pulls from her backpack a pack of cocaine and hands it to Curtis)
Curtis: (smelling the merchandise) This one is dope! He's gonna like it!
He hands her a wad of bills that she quickly puts in her backpack.
Lina: (she sighs) Until next time Curtis!
Curtis: Yeah! Take care!
But as she starts walking away, a man abruptly exits his vehicle. He is followed by a woman. The man starts shouting at Lina.
Man: (pointing his gun at her) Stop! NYPD! (showing his badge) Stay where you are!
Curtis: Shit! Cops!
Curtis runs way.
Woman: I'm on it!
The woman starts chasing Curtis.
Lina runs away and the man starts chasing her. Lina and Curtis didn't spot the two cops at first as they were in an unmarked car and were wearing plain-clothes.
Man: Hey! Stop!
Lina crosses the street and bumps into some cars. Then, she enters a narrow alley, but it's a dead end. The man catches up on her and finds her trapped in front of a high fence.
YOU ARE READING
As Long as I Breathe...
RomanceLina arrives in the United States alongside her four-year-old little sister Sarah. Both have fled their country because of the war that took Lina's parents' lives. For Lina, the United States represented an opportunity to start from scratch and put...
